Inland Named Among the Nation’s Most Wired Hospitals

Release Date: 07/15/2014

Inland Hospital and five other EMHS hospitals are at the forefront of using information technology to improve patient care, based on the results of a 2014 survey published by the American Hospital Association. Inland, TAMC, Acadia Hospital, and Blue Hill Memorial Hospital were honored in the most wired – small and rural category. EMMC and Sebasticook Valley Hospital were recognized in the healthcare’s most wired category. The six EMHS hospitals were among only nine in Maine to be recognized.

“I am both pleased and proud that these EMHS hospitals continue to play a leadership role in adopting and leveraging information technology,” said EMHS president and CEO M. Michelle Hood, FACHE. “This technology gives caregivers access to information at the bedside, improves medication safety, and connects physicians and patients through telemedicine, among other benefits. I congratulate these EMHS members for again being recognized with the Most Wired distinction.”

As the nation’s healthcare system transitions to more integrated and patient-centered care, hospitals are utilizing information technology to better connect disparate care providers, according to the 16th annual Health Care’s Most Wired Survey, conducted by Hospitals & Health Networks. The survey assesses hospitals’ performance in four facets of information technology: infrastructure, business and administrative management, clinical quality and safety, and clinical integration.

About EMHS
EMHS is an integrated health delivery system covering approximately 70 percent of the land mass in the state and serving more than 40 percent of the state’s residents. The system’s broad range of services includes eight hospitals, physician practices, long-term care facilities, home health and hospice, and ground and air emergency transport services. EMHS members work collaboratively with each other and with other community organizations to provide our patients with the right care, at the right time, and right place. For more information, visit the EMHS website at www.emhs.org.

About the AHA
The AHA is a nonprofit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, and other providers of care. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.

About the Most Wired Survey
Health Care’s Most Wired Survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their IT initiatives. Respondents completed 680 surveys, representing 1,900 hospitals, or more than 30 percent of all U.S. hospitals. The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com. The 2014 Most Wired Survey is conducted in cooperation with McKesson Corp. (www.mckesson.com), AT&T (www.att.com), the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (www.cio-chime.org), and the American Hospital Association (www.aha.org).